Fork of the South Southern Tea Room & Candy Martini Bar

A Charming, Cozy, and Absolutely Delightful Experience! We had the best time at The Southern Tea Room in Franklin, TN. From the moment we stepped inside, we were completely charmed by the atmosphere. The space is warm and intimate, with exposed brick, soft lighting, and the loveliest seasonal decorations strung across the room. It feels like stepping into a beautifully curated little world — elegant, cozy, and full of personality. The table settings alone made us smile: gorgeous vintage-style china, floral linens, and those plush blue chairs that make you want to settle in and stay awhile. It’s the kind of place where every detail feels intentional. And then the food arrived — and WOW. Our three-tier tray was packed with a fantastic assortment of treats. The pastries were fresh, flaky, and beautifully presented, and the desserts were delicious without being overly sweet. Everything tasted homemade with real care behind it. One of the highlights was the adorable little chocolate-chip cookie shaped like a Christmas tree — such a fun and thoughtful touch that made the whole experience feel even more festive. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, which added so much to the overall experience. It’s clear they put pride into creating a memorable visit for every guest. If you’re looking for a perfect afternoon tea spot — whether for a celebration, a cozy catch-up, or simply something special — The Southern Tea Room is an absolute gem. We can’t wait to come back soon!

We had a wonderful experience with this tea room. Everyone was gracious and helpful. It was tricky making individual reservations guarantees for our group of 11 but every thing went seamlessly. I can’t wait for the new parking garage at the factory because parking is crazy. The food was delicious and well presented. As a retired caterer I know the time and preparation that is involved. My favorites were the chicken salad, cucumber sandwich and chess square. Be sure to check out all the offerings at Fork of the South.

The Southern Tea Room and staff were so sweet for my best friend's baby shower!! Everything was so perfect and it was such a wonderful time to honor and celebrate for the new baby girl, coming soon! 🎀

This is a very cute place. Our service was good but the price doesn't really match the value. We found this place on a trip through Franklin and the gluten-free option, while thoughtful needs a bit of work. For $50 nuts and slices of delicious meat is just, wild!

Had a fabulous time at the Tea room at Fork of the South. Loved the selection of soup, salad, savory bites, and sweets. Picking out our own tea cups and tiaras was the highlight! And the Christmas decorations were fabulous. Incredible value/experience for the price. We looked at places in Nashville and they were all way too expensive and you had to pay for parking so we said no thank. Our server Ava was so attentive and made the time very special. We cannot wait to come back for another celebration!

My mom and I had the most delightful experience at The Southern Tea Room! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm service, a charming atmosphere, and the heavenly scent of fresh tea blends. Every detail — from the scrumptious finger sandwiches and scones to the beautifully curated tea menu — made our early Mother’s Day celebration truly special. It’s located inside The Factory at Franklin, in the same building as Third Coast Clay, which made it feel like a hidden gem. The ambiance was elegant yet cozy, and every sip and bite felt like a treat. Highly recommend for a unique and memorable outing!

What a fun experience we had at the Southern Tea Room at Fork of the South. Our teenage grandkids were here from Alaska and this event was one of the special treats we had lined up for them. They had fun choosing their own tea and tea cups and receiving their own pot of the chosen tea, or in my granddaughter’s case pink lemonade. My grandson is not a big salad eater but the small salad with homemade dressing was totally gone. The two soups that were offered were delicious: tomato bisque and the cold berry soup. The service was friendly, attentive and very professional. The 3-tier serving of sweet and savory was so good and fun to have a taste of everything. Their private room made the experience seem cozy and very elegant. We were not rushed at all. I plan to take a houseguest we will have in August. She was intrigued when I told her about it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Southern Tea Room is an absolute gem, full of charm and warmth! Unlike the grandeur of the Hermitage, this tea room is cozy, quaint, and unpretentious—the kind of place where you feel like you’ve been invited to someone’s family table for a homemade meal. If you’re looking for a Hermitage-style experience, then by all means, head there—but if you want delicious, from-scratch Southern food served with kindness, this is your spot. Everything here tastes homemade with love, from the fresh-baked pastries to the sandwiches and soups. And can we talk about the chocolate croissants that come straight from France?! Absolute perfection! Their house-made ice cream is another must-try, proving just how much care and quality the Fork of the South team puts into everything they do. The servers are incredibly kind and welcoming, making every visit feel special. I honestly can’t believe some of the low reviews because my experiences have been nothing but wonderful. This is the kind of place that brings people together over great food and even better hospitality—exactly what a tea room should be!!

We went for the first time with great expectations but much to our surprise everything was disappointing. Right off the bat, the room was freezing and we were looking forward to a warm cup of tea. However, the tea, despite being over a candle, was cold and artificial tasting. We went in knowing it would be pricey however, for $50 per person, we expected more than one food tour for four people. Still hoping to justify the price, we dug in to food that tasted right off Kroger's clearance shelf. The only thing they seemed to get right was hiring a sweet waitress who did her best given the low quality of everything. We sadly won't be back and hope they take constructive criticism to heart and make the necessary changes for this cute idea to succeed.

Absolutely loved the southern spin on high tea! Love the big band music through gammaohone. Incredible service, great memorable experience!!